James Gunn is delivering his take on a farewell to Marvel. The Co-Chairman and CEO of DC Studios, who previously directed the MCU’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, shared with Rolling Stone that it was in part the “demands” for increased content on Disney+ that “damaged” the MCU brand. Gunn emphasized his intention to steer WBD’s DC Studios in a vastly different direction.
“That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. And it killed them,” Gunn remarked regarding the pressure from Disney for more Marvel productions, which contributed to a perceived MCU burnout at the box office ahead of “Thunderbolts.” “At DC, we don’t face the requirement to release a specific number of films and TV shows each year. Instead, we’ll focus on delivering content that we believe meets the highest standards. While we’ll certainly produce some great works and a few not-so-great ones, we aim for an overall quality that is as high as possible. Nothing will move forward until there’s a screenplay that I’m personally satisfied with.”
Indeed, Gunn will not proceed with filming until a complete screenplay is in hand, which is why “The Batman 2” has faced such delays. The sequel featuring Robert Pattinson was first announced in 2022.
“Batman is my primary concern in all of DC right now, personally,” Gunn remarked. “While I’m not directly writing Batman, I am collaborating with the writer to ensure we get it right, as he is critically important to DC, much like Wonder Woman. Outside of the projects currently in progress, our top priorities are finalizing our scripts for Wonder Woman and Batman.”
He added, “Every conceivable Batman story has been told. It feels like half of the comics released by DC over the last three decades feature Batman. He stands as the most recognized and beloved superhero globally. While people are drawn to him due to his intriguing nature, the sheer volume of his appearances can lead to a sense of monotony. The challenge lies in crafting a property that remains engaging and enjoyable to watch.”
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Gunn pointed out that the rush to enter production has been a significant issue across Hollywood. “I genuinely believe that the decline of the movie industry is not due to a lack of audience interest,” Gunn stated. “It’s not because home viewing experiences are improving. The primary reason is that films are being made without a completed screenplay.”
